EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE: Raising quintuplets

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Any parent can tell you having their first baby comes with challenges. Now, imagine that times five. Carmen and Mike Matthews say raising their quintuplets is all about routine.

WWAY was there when the five Matthews babies finally made it home from a hospital in Arizona. That was five months ago. Now, it takes a lot of energy to keep up with Lorna, Layton, Carly, Rucker and Eason.

“We’re busy all the time,” Mike said.

Just how busy? Carmen and Mike Matthews change 30 diapers a day and make 25 bottles with baby Ryker getting special formula to help him put on weight. All of that while they both work full-time.

“It’s definitely all about a routine,” Mike said. They get fed when they wake up at eight in the morning and then at ten, two, six and 9:30. They all get fed at the same time. If it wasn’t for a routine, it wouldn’t work.”

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child and for the Matthews, that certainly holds true. Family, friends and even neighbors chip in to help with daily tasks. For now, the only time they venture out of their house with all babies in tow is for church on Sunday.

Despite the workload of feeding, bathing, changing and rocking five babies to sleep, Carmen and Mike say they have five little blessings, each with their own unique personality.

“Rucker is a little temperamental at times,” Carmen said. “Carly is very much a little princess and she gets really upset really easily. Lorna, the oldest girl, is very quiet and kind of manipulative. She knows if she wants something, she can just stick that lip out and get her way. Layton is very cuddly and wants to be held all the time and Eason is just very happy. He smiles all the time.”

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